July 18, 2020 8:56 am
“Hitch Hiking” Through The Urban Jungle!
My wife Alex came up with the idea of “Hitch Hiking” – a cool hike followed by a classic Hitchcock thriller – and as we are all living a #quarantinelife, I can’t share new hikes right now.
Alex and I are eager to share more shadows like this one, but for now, let’s look at one of my favorite urban hikes!
The Majesty Of Central Park!
This incredible view from W. 57th street shows the magnitude of the park – it’s 2.5 miles long between 59th Street (Central Park South) and 110th Street (Central Park North), and is 0.5 miles wide between Fifth Avenue and Central Park West.
A single day doesn’t even scratch the surface of what there is to see in this park, but since we needed to get an urban hike in, we were going to see how far we could go – and that was 196 city blocks!
The night before our hike, the skies turned a bit ominous, but I had faith that it would clear up and give us a great day for walking…
This was the view from our hotel room, so I could see much of the park – and it cleared up nicely and we headed in – and you quickly come across great pathways that make for great shots:
There’s one area in the park I discovered a few years ago, and I am always drawn back to it:
The Ramble!
The lush Central Park woodland, known as the Ramble, is composed of 38 acres of winding pathways between 73rd and 78th streets.
Described by Frederick Law Olmsted as a “wild garden”, the Ramble’s maze of trails amidst its abundant flora and fauna contrasts spectacularly with the formality of nearby attractions, such as the Bethesda Terrace.
I shot a bit of the walk, to give you an idea of the area’s many trails, along with a bit of history about the area’s more notorious past:
This is where you also see some of the park’s great bridges, and when you look south, this is your view of New York:
As you head north, you will come across the building where the National Weather Service operates – it is, of course, a castle:
Belvedere Castle!
Originally designed in 1865 by Calvert Vaux and Jacob Wrey Mould, Belvedere Castle was intended to be a Victorian Folly, a fantasy structure that provides a great backdrop and views, but without a real intended purpose.
The castle is closed now for restoration, expected to reopen in 2019…so you just keep going and you come across the next great spot in the park:
The Great Lawn!
the Great Lawn, a green pasture of 55-acres that is considered one of the most famous lawns in the world. Located mid-park from 79th to 85th Streets,
I love that all around the park, unique rock formations are everywhere to admire and sit on!
As you keep walking north, you run into something that turns the park into one large oval path:
The Reservoir!
We are now almost 80 blocks into our circuitous urban hike, and we are at another great Central Park destination.
Officially named the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir in 1994, the Reservoir is famed for the 1.58 mile track that encircles the 106-acre body of water – it covers approximately 1/8th of the Park and holds over a billion gallons of water.
When the Reservoir was built in 1862, its original purpose was to provide clean water for the city. While this function is not carried out today, the Reservoir does distribute water to other Central Park locations, such as the Pool, the Loch, and the Harlem Meer.
You can walk a dozen more blocks and come across more Central Park sights like these:
Across 110th Street!
I grabbed one last picture at the small lake on the northeast corner of the park, at 100th street – a great early 70’s film called “Across 110th Street” refers to the neighborhood at the northeast end of the park…but after 100+ blocks, it was time to head back.
Because the park is so big, I can do a loop and head back down the west side – knowing where my last stop would be – a poignant one and a must-see:
Strawberry Fields Forever!
Located across the street from where John Lennon was murdered, this memorial to the late Beatle is always crowded with fans stopping by to pay tribute:
As the sign said, it’s a “quiet zone”, where people stop and reflect for a moment…
I ended the walk at a place I’ve come to love in New York – conveniently located just off of Central Park at 72nd:
With a full stomach and 194 blocks under my feet, it was time to settle in and watch one of Alfred Hitchcock’s greatest films:
“Rear Window!”
James Stewart plays a wheelchair-bound photographer, who fills his days by spying on his neighbors from his New York apartment window.
His world slowly unravels when he becomes convinced one of his neighbors has committed murder. Grace Kelly plays his girlfriend, who isn’t sure if he actually saw something, or is slowly losing his mind…
Check out this trailer:
According to great trivia on IMDB, everyone was crazy about Grace Kelly. According to James Stewart, “Everybody just sat around and waited for her to come in the morning, so we could just look at her/ She was kind to everybody, so considerate, just great, and so beautiful.” Stewart also praised her instinctive acting ability and her “complete understanding of the way motion picture acting is carried out.”
Hitchcock captures the voyeuristic allure of living across from neighbors, and the secret thrill from spying on them…James Stewart captures that perfectly as well.
A great film that also captures the streets of New York, even though the film never leaves the apartment! I love New York because you come across stuff like this – Times Square at midnight:
This chess-playing Bird was part of my walk down 54 blocks of Broadway.
You can see my “54 Blocks Of Broadway” story here:
I love sharing “these hitch hiking” stories: here are the first three, beginning with this hike:
Check out the view from Will Rogers State Park near Malibu by clicking here:
If you want a different kind of “Hitchcock” hike, maybe you want to try this:
We hiked near the location of Hitchcock’s classic “The Birds” – see more here:
If you enjoy these posts, why not subscribe and never miss out? It’s easy, and there are NO ads of any kind, just stuff I like…click on the main page and “follow” me on the upper right…
If you enjoy these posts, please help me get the word out and share on social media and and with your friends – and leave a comment to let me know!
Let me know if you’ve done an urban hike through the trails of New York!
Posted by johnrieber
Categories: Action Films, Art, Books / Media, Cult Movies, Exotic Travel, Film Fight Club, Memoirs, Movies, nature, New York, Pop Culture, Real Estate, Talent/Celebrities, Travel, Travel Adventures, Travel Memoir
Tags: Alfred Hitchcock, Alfred Hitchcock anecdotes, best alfred hitchcock movies, best Alfred Hitchcock thrillers, best central park attractions, best hikes in central park, best hikes in new york central park, best hiking in new york, best New York based thrillers, best new york city attractions, best new york hot dogs, best New York tourist sites, best sights in central park, central park, central park hike, central park tour, central park tours, central park trivia, central park urban hikes, central park's great lawn, classic 50's films, classic movies, classic thrillers, Director Alfred Hitchcock, film Rear Window, gritty New York City, hiking, hiking central park, hiking through new york central park, hitch hiking, hitch hiking series, James Stewart, James Stewart movies, John Lennon Central Park memorial, John Lennon Strawberry Fields Forever, New York City, New York food, New York tourism, new york tourist destinations, New York tours sites, rear window, Rear Window movie, Strawberry Fields tribute, Strawberry Fields tribute Central Park, The Birds Alfred Hitchcock, the ramble central park, the ramble history in central park, trivia about central park, urban hikes in new york, urban hiking, urban jungle, urbans hikes in new york city, voyeur films, voyeur movies, walking central park
Mobile Site | Full Site
Get a free blog at WordPress.com Theme: WordPress Mobile Edition by Alex King.
[…] […]
LikeLike
By “Wrapping Up” Central Park – Virtually! 20 Years Of Christo’s “The Gates” Are Back! – johnrieber on April 9, 2025 at 9:31 am
[…] […]
LikeLike
By New York’s Cherry Blossoms Are Here! Central Park Shows Off Again! – johnrieber on April 25, 2024 at 6:13 am
[…] […]
LikeLike
By “I Know A Guy” Who Does Amazing New York City Tours! Time To “Tram” To Roosevelt Island! – johnrieber on April 10, 2024 at 6:32 am
[…] […]
LikeLike
By New York’s Got Snow! Here’s Video Of Central Park’s New White Coat! – johnrieber on February 14, 2024 at 5:40 am
[…] […]
LikeLike
By Hilarious New York Marathon Signs! Celebrating The Big Apple’s 50K Strong Mega-Race With Humor! – johnrieber on November 8, 2023 at 6:14 am
[…] […]
LikeLike
By “Sing Harlem” At An Amazing Sunday Gospel Brunch! Chef Marcus Samuelsson’s Red Rooster Rocks! – johnrieber on September 10, 2023 at 6:19 am
[…] […]
LikeLike
By New York’s Hidden Castle In Central Park! All Hail Belvedere Castle! – johnrieber on May 13, 2023 at 7:01 am
[…] […]
LikeLike
By Would You Take The World’s “Longest Uninterrupted Walk”? Fourteen Thousand Miles Kicks Off 2023’s Year Of Wild Hikes! – johnrieber on January 4, 2023 at 6:57 am
[…] […]
LikeLike
By New York’s Incredible “Skinny-Scrapers!” Plus Cracked Skyscrapers! Tilted Buildings Too! – johnrieber on August 18, 2022 at 9:48 am
[…] […]
LikeLike
By Welcome To The Millbrook Inn! An Incredible Oasis In New York’s Hudson Valley! – johnrieber on August 1, 2022 at 7:46 am
[…] https://johnrieber.com/2020/07/18/hitch-hiking-196-blocks-through-new-yorks-central-park-peering-into… […]
LikeLike
By An Incredible Oasis In The Midst Of The Big Apple! My “Travel Challenge” Day #4 Explores New York’s Central Park! – johnrieber on January 10, 2021 at 8:51 am
Thank you for sharing these wonderful insight. New York is on my list, and without this C19 thing i have had the chance for a visit last year. ;-( However its worth a visit. Have a beautiful Sunday, and stay save. Michael
LikeLiked by 1 person
By OIKOS™-Publishing on July 26, 2020 at 6:17 am
Thanks for the comment – I cannot wait to be able to travel again!
LikeLiked by 1 person
By johnrieber on July 26, 2020 at 9:20 am
Thank you so much for tshowing this wonderful city. Thats true, we should get to an end with this virus thing. Life is too short, and the world too pretty, always staying at home. Best wishes, Michael
LikeLike
By OIKOS™-Publishing on July 26, 2020 at 9:29 am
Wow! What a fantastic day! I’m curious how long your urban hike took? Thanks for sharing. I’ve only been to New York City once, and I’ve got to get back.
LikeLiked by 1 person
By petespringerauthor on July 19, 2020 at 10:40 pm
Great to hear from you! I walk 3+ miles per hour, and this walk was about 5 hours total – but some stopping for pics and soaking in the images…when my wife was working during the day I’d walk literally all day long! Thanks for commenting, always great to hear from you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
By johnrieber on July 20, 2020 at 8:52 am
I miss going to the gym, but I try to walk each day to replace that. Enjoying some of the beauty of where you live is always good for our mental health.
LikeLiked by 1 person
By petespringerauthor on July 20, 2020 at 9:00 am
Exactly! Anything that allows me to explore some sort of nature!
LikeLiked by 1 person
By johnrieber on July 20, 2020 at 10:20 am
This is a great post! I really enjoyed the ramble through Central Park. It gave me a vantage point I’ve not encountered before. And “Rear Window” is one of Hitckcock’s best.
LikeLiked by 1 person
By Liz Gauffreau on July 19, 2020 at 2:36 pm
Thank you! Yes, “The Ramble” has a history as a “meeting spot” in the 70’s and 80’s, but during the day it’s a cool series of paths that all wind up at the north end of the lake that has all of the rowboats!
LikeLiked by 1 person
By johnrieber on July 19, 2020 at 2:50 pm
You’re welcome, John!
LikeLiked by 1 person
By Liz Gauffreau on July 19, 2020 at 5:02 pm
I remember it well! Thanks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
By Opher on July 19, 2020 at 12:40 pm
Thank you, John. I came over from Jennie’s post.
LikeLiked by 1 person
By John W. Howell on July 19, 2020 at 12:25 pm
Thanks for taking us along, John… Happy hiking!
LikeLiked by 1 person
By Bette A. Stevens on July 19, 2020 at 10:36 am
Thanks for the comment! If only we could get outside – right now so much is closed for me!
LikeLiked by 1 person
By johnrieber on July 19, 2020 at 10:58 am
True for all of us, but how wonderful we can share this way! I loved the hike!
LikeLike
By Bette A. Stevens on July 19, 2020 at 10:59 am
Wonderful Jennie! Thanks so much for sharing. Happy Sunday! ❤ xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
By Bette A. Stevens on July 19, 2020 at 10:33 am
What a gift to all of us who are staying at home, masks at the ready… Central Park is definitely one of the most special and unusual parts of Manhattan. I have never walked the entire length of Central Park, but after reading your blog post, I want to! I have friends who live on W. 111th; so I have spent time walking around the upper parts of the park in past visits. Thank you for this beautiful arm-chair (for me and others staying close to home) adventure!
LikeLiked by 1 person
By willedare on July 19, 2020 at 9:05 am
Thanks for the comment! I had never been to the very top of the park until this walk, and I ended up going “across 110th Street” just like the movie title form the early 70’s!
LikeLike
By johnrieber on July 19, 2020 at 9:35 am
Reblogged this on A Teacher's Reflections and commented:
Enjoy a Sunday walk through Central Park in New York City, courtesy of John Rieber. This made my Sunday morning a beautiful day.
LikeLiked by 2 people
By Jennie on July 19, 2020 at 7:36 am
Thank you for sharing…I can’t wait to be able to travel to beautiful places and explore nature and more!
LikeLiked by 2 people
By johnrieber on July 19, 2020 at 8:58 am
My pleasure, John. Thank you for the terrific post. If we can’t travel and enjoy nature, we can do it virtually through your posts.
LikeLiked by 1 person
By Jennie on July 19, 2020 at 10:03 am
I can’t wait until I can share new ones! So much is closed to us right now, and I can’t even fly to New York if I wanted to!
LikeLike
By johnrieber on July 19, 2020 at 10:59 am
What a delightful post and walk through Central Park. I had no idea there were so many beautiful and different places to enjoy. And an Alfred Hitchcock movie? The best! Did you ever watch “Marnie?”
LikeLiked by 2 people
By Jennie on July 19, 2020 at 5:38 am
Thank you! I haven’t seen “Marnie” – but I own it! I got an Alfred Hitchcock collection and this is one I still have to see! Thanks for commenting, always great to hear from you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
By johnrieber on July 19, 2020 at 8:59 am
It’s been a long while since I was in Central Park- once in 2001 (exactly one week after the tragedy of 911, waiting to fly home as a summer college student after a few months working in the Wildwoods) and quite a few years later where we could visit the site and pay our respects. Central Park has been my favourite NY spot both times. Such an oasis if calm with excellent burger vans only a stroll away! Thanks for the trip!
LikeLiked by 2 people
By fancypaperblog on July 19, 2020 at 1:08 am
Thanks for the comment! I was in NYC on 911 as well – in Radio DJ Howard Stern’s studio! I am going to share some of what I experienced in NY that week, including meeting President Clinton as he walked through lower Manhattan consoling people…
LikeLike
By johnrieber on July 19, 2020 at 9:01 am
I love your life😄🥰
LikeLiked by 1 person
By fancypaperblog on July 19, 2020 at 12:02 pm
I’ve held off telling the 911 story as it’s so sad in so many ways…but I did have a very unique perspective on that week to be sure…
LikeLiked by 1 person
By johnrieber on July 19, 2020 at 2:50 pm
The park is truly gorgeous. I can see why it’s so popular.
LikeLiked by 2 people
By By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff on July 18, 2020 at 11:36 am
I have explored it many times and there is still something new to discover around every corner! Thanks for commenting!
LikeLiked by 2 people
By johnrieber on July 18, 2020 at 11:38 am
This really is an incredible park, John. I assume it’s safe to walk in on your own. I have seen The Birds, very scary. I’ve never quite liked birds as much since.
LikeLiked by 2 people
By robbiesinspiration on July 18, 2020 at 10:30 am
Yes, Central Park is very safe…of course, early in the morning or late at night is perhaps a different story, but it’s an amazing escape from the crowded New York just outside!
LikeLiked by 2 people
By johnrieber on July 18, 2020 at 10:39 am
You guys are great with your themes! Loved the movie and my brother lives in Hell’s Kitchen for years and we made many visits to bits and pieces of the park but would like to venture through the whole thing sometime?
LikeLiked by 1 person
By beth on July 18, 2020 at 10:02 am
Thanks! I love that park, and would routinely walk through it – so many different areas to explore, and of course New York City just beyond it!
LikeLiked by 2 people
By johnrieber on July 18, 2020 at 10:40 am
I’m sure I remember this one, John. But it was great to see it again, and ‘Rear Window’ is a Hitchcock film that I DO like. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 2 people
By beetleypete on July 18, 2020 at 9:26 am